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<p>As one of the most mature forms of renewable energy, solar energy has been widely adopted globally, but its high demands for extensive areas of land limit its usage for small island developing states (SIDS). To aid the Bahamas in achieving net zero and 30% renewables by 2030 while minimizing land use, this study considers floating photovoltaic arrays sites in its coastal areas. Sites are identified using bathymetric, numerical wave model, and reanalysis wind data. Using five criteria that consider marine protected areas and distance to population centres, twenty areas were identified and account for only ~ 0.6% of The Bahamas’ total area. When considering solar modules rated at 550 watts, coastal FPVs can provide ~ 100 gigawatts and generate up to ~ 151 petawatt hours per year. For each island and settlement under consideration (accounting for 99% of The Bahamas’ population), the chosen FPV configurations allowed for energy production to far outstrip consumption. These results have immediate application for other SIDS throughout the Caribbean Sea in not only reducing greenhouse emissions but also powering blue economy activities. However, additional studies will be required to ascertain not only the environmental footprint of coastal FPVs, but in appropriately sizing arrays for coastal communities.</p>

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Mapping coastal sites for floating photovoltaics in The Bahamas

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月11日

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  • Brandon J. Bethel

摘要

As one of the most mature forms of renewable energy, solar energy has been widely adopted globally, but its high demands for extensive areas of land limit its usage for small island developing states (SIDS). To aid the Bahamas in achieving net zero and 30% renewables by 2030 while minimizing land use, this study considers floating photovoltaic arrays sites in its coastal areas. Sites are identified using bathymetric, numerical wave model, and reanalysis wind data. Using five criteria that consider marine protected areas and distance to population centres, twenty areas were identified and account for only ~ 0.6% of The Bahamas’ total area. When considering solar modules rated at 550 watts, coastal FPVs can provide ~ 100 gigawatts and generate up to ~ 151 petawatt hours per year. For each island and settlement under consideration (accounting for 99% of The Bahamas’ population), the chosen FPV configurations allowed for energy production to far outstrip consumption. These results have immediate application for other SIDS throughout the Caribbean Sea in not only reducing greenhouse emissions but also powering blue economy activities. However, additional studies will be required to ascertain not only the environmental footprint of coastal FPVs, but in appropriately sizing arrays for coastal communities.